I don't see one single reason to lift a Jeep higher than around 4". Long- arms with WB stretch, cut the sheetmetal as much as required, patch the holes and run 35s or 37s. I'd do that if a Jeep like was street-legal where I live. However, the maximum size I can run is 32s without the cops taking my plates off and giving a ticket, so that's what i run with 1.75" BB.

I guess the biggests reasons for high lifts + large tires combos are that people want bolt-on parts and they want the look of a high Jeep with big tires. A lower Jeep with wider track, proper belly protection, cut up fenders, large tires and lockers would be a lot more cabable rig in all but swamps/ mudpits though. Can be built cleanly too, but requires quite a lot of fabbing..

My ZJ is 7in lift long arm front/rear with 35's. Soon Ill be taking my 37's off my YJ and putting them on the ZJ. My ZJ will NEVER see off road its a pavement pounder. I does have a built HP D30/D44 with 4.88's. No winch, no heavy steel bumpers. But why go through all the time and money building it? Cause its my.money I worked for it and I don't like driving stock rigs.

That's me I'm one of those posers. I love the look of my zj. Driveablity? I live 2 miles round trip from work and everything I need in town.is with in 5 miles. My zj is more then capable wheeler, but my YJ is my wheeler. Where I go wheeling 31's and lockers will get u no where. 35's lockers and your still spending time winching.

This is not a new debate and it's not limited to Jeeps. Doesn't matter whether it's guns, cars, houses or women. Some want stuff that works, some want stuff that looks good (or that they think makes them look good), some want stuff that fills both roles. Top that off with the fact that not all wheeling is created equal. Some are built for rocks, some are built for mud, some are built for DD, some are built to explore. Some wheel every weekend, some a couple times a year, some on there own more times than not, some with other most of the time.

To be honest much changes as you get older. I'm not saying there aren't old guys that do worthless builds (and stupid things with them) or young guys that do great builds but in many cases priorities change as you get older. There is so much in life that I thought was cool when I was 20 that I have no time for at 45. Heck, anymore give me good tires and decent recovery equipment as the basics.

Dance with who brung ya...... (but it doesn't mean I'm not gonna point and laugh at stupid people and things)

lots of folks that want the 'look' of a liftted jeep. i think its fine. same deal with trucks, and 'rig rockets' as we call em up here in Alberta.
whatever floats your boat i guess.

i wouldn't want to daily drive anything that is that tall or ugly or bad on fuel, and that has parts that wear out 3x as fast due to lifts, but hey i drive a lot and use my vehicle to get to work; thats why i have toys for the weekend and stuff. some people are cool with it, so let em.

i'd still rather see a princess rig running a claytons 7" kit and 35s on 20" rims than the idiot thats trying to wheel his 500$ deathtrap with a fatbobs puck lift and bald 32s that rub and has a chain rapped around the front bumper as a tow point.

Although I think they're stupid, the fact that they're 100% bolt on stuff and the owners generally don't have a clue mechanically, it means business for guys like Clayton's, iron rock, etc... it also generates money for local off road shops. The industry NEEDS mall crawlers to keep it going. If everybody built they're own rigs completely none of those companies would be around.

I don't see one single reason to lift a Jeep higher than around 4". Long- arms with WB stretch, cut the sheetmetal as much as required, patch the holes and run 35s or 37s. I'd do that if a Jeep like was street-legal where I live. However, the maximum size I can run is 32s without the cops taking my plates off and giving a ticket, so that's what i run with 1.75" BB.

Where is that, and is there somewhere that we can look the law up? I knew there were stupid politicians, but a cop that'll actually enforce "dumb dumb"laws...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technohead

Posers. The most BASIC modifications you can make to any offroad rig are, in order:

1.) Lockers
2.) Skid plates

Give me these on an otherwise stock ZJ and I will make it much further down the trail than any open rig that's lifted with 33's+

Sounds like a challenge coming. I've got a Stock ZJ currently. You wanna pay for my lockers and Skid Plates? There's a lifted ZJ out here that'll EASIALLY make it further than me just due to lift. Course, when the engine gets flooded, YOU GET THE BILL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by L_Kilkenny

To be honest much changes as you get older. I'm not saying there aren't old guys that do worthless builds (and stupid things with them) or young guys that do great builds but in many cases priorities change as you get older. There is so much in life that I thought was cool when I was 20 that I have no time for at 45. Heck, anymore give me good tires and decent recovery equipment as the basics.

"Words from the Wise!" Just cause you say it doesn't mean that he's wise enough to listen...